Device for under-water exploration.



C. F. JENKINS.

DEVICE FOR UNDER WATER EXPLORATiON.

APPLICATION FILED DEC 16,1914.

1,156,782. Pa-fented Oct. 12, 1915.

CHARLES FRANCIS JENKINS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DEVICE FOR UNDER-WATER EXPLORATION.

Toyzll whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES FRANcrs JEN- KINs, citizen of t e United States, residing at 1808 Park roa Washington, District of Columbia, have ,invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Under- Water Exploration, of which the following is a specification, reference being had thereparatus: and Fig. 3 a magnetic'grip for securing it to the side of the boat.

In all the drawings like symbols refer to like pa s, A being a working chamber at the 10 or end of a long, tubular member B made up of hinge-jointed sections, in number suflicient to attain the depth desired, and

with gasketed or other water-tight joints.

The to of this tubular member is a short section having a lateral tube E containin lenses F in alinement with a small mirror the latter located also in alinement with the main tubular member B. Supported on the upper end of the member B is, a globe H inclosing any suitable source of light, for

example, an electric lamp, to which current is led through the wires I. The lobe is open to the air through the grating and is also in free communication with the tubular section B, and therethrough with the worln'ngchamber A. The major parts of the devlce are preferably made of iron castings, or other suitable material, and so proportioned that the whole is buoyant, of comparatively light weight and therefore readily handled, and stored aboard the boat when not in use. Because of its buoyancy it is necessar to tether the-device to the boat J by suita le means, as chains K. The w0rk ing chamber is rovided with one or more windows, L, behind which a camera M may be located. The camera, preferably fitted with a very large, fast-working lens, might be controlled from, above water by electric means, through wires N, in the usual mannor of such control from a distance. Above Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

Application filed December 16, 1914. Serial No. 877,594.

the camera a mirror 0 is located for reflect- 1ng laterally through the window P the rays of l1ght projected downward through the tube from the source of lightin the globe H. The l1g ht thus projected through the window P is employed for illuminating the object to be photographed, where such illumination is advantageous, as in muddy water or at great depths.

In order that the camera may be properly pointed so that the object to be photographed is kept within the field of the lens, a direct view of the object is had through the telescope E, the small reflecting mirror G and the large mirror 0. The location of mirror G inthe axis of the beam of light projected down the tube has not been found to perceptibly diminish the illumination of the object to be photographed. Thus an observer stationed at the eyepiece of the telescope E can keep the apparatus at the proper level and accurately pointed at the principal ob ect. To assist in more securely attaching the device to the side of the vessel from which it is being operated it is sometimes desirable to more fixedly anchor the device to the side of the vessel, and a very convenient means of doing this is to mount an electromagnet Q, on the tube at a greater or lesser distance down the vessels side where it is plated with iron or steel. While I have not actually tried out a device of this character of-sufliciently large dimensions to contain an operator in the working chamber it is possible to do so and still be within'the scope of my invention. In certain localities, for illustration, where there is a strong tide running, it would be desirable to anchor its lower end to prevent its etting beyond con-' trol, and I have provi ed a chain R and anchor on the outslde of the working end of the device for this purpose. To this anchor chain the submerged chamber is loosely held by the ring B through which the chain passes.

. What I claim, therefore, is

1.'A device for exploring under-water areas, consisting of a rigid tubular body of lighter weight than the water it displaces, and flexible means for holding it partially submerged when in use.

2. A device for exploring under-water areas, consisting of a rigid tubular body having an electro-ma-gnet mounted thereon whereby it may be instantly attached or dey In testimony whereof I have aflixed my tachedhat aifily underwater point on the side signature in presence of two witnesses. o a s 1p a oat.

3. A device for exploring under-water 7 CHARLES FRANCIS JENKINS areas, consistin of a rigid tubular body and Witnesses: flexible means or guiding it to, and secur- JOSEPH ROGER WHITE, ing it in, position for use. JAMES L. CRAWFORD. 

